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It's an interesting slate over on DraftKings tonight as one game shines far above the rest with an outrageous 247.5 point implied total. We also have quite a few spots where value could open up in a major way, with the Raptors, Pacers, and Thunder all resting players on a nightly basis. Let's get right to it.
This article will supply you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for the DraftKings on 5/8/21. You can also check out today’s FanDuel lineup picks. It’s also important to monitor injury news as a result of COVID-19 as the slate can completely change before line-up lock. Without further ado, let’s dive into the picks!
DraftKings DFS Guards
T.J. McConnell - PG, vs. Wizards ($6,300)
McConnell profiles as an incredible play as long as Malcolm Brogdon, Edmond Sumner, and Jeremy Lamb all continue to sit out. He has outputs of 35.5 and 40.75 DK points over his last three games and this game environment is unmatched with a 247.5 point implied total and the fastest projected pace.
Russell Westbrook - PG, vs. Pacers ($11,100)
Westy, of course, is an elite play on the other side of this matchup. He's averaging 78.92 DK points per game in the three games prior to his 63.25 DK point "clunker" last time out. Don't overthink this one.
Malachi Flynn - PG, vs. Grizzlies ($4,700)
The Raptors are giving up on the season and some really odd rotations have become commonplace late in the year. As a result, Flynn hasn't cracked 21 minutes in each of the last three games and he hasn't done anything while on the floor. He has been a very useful DFS play when given the opportunity, and there's no reason for them not to be playing Flynn at least 30 minutes with Lowry and Van Vleet out. I expect him to get meaningful run tonight at a very cheap salary.
Desmond Bane - SG/SF, vs. Raptors ($4,100)
Bane is a great GPP play as he's seeing more run with Grayson Allen out but remains a volatile FPTS/min producer. He has put up 10.5, 12, 33, and 42 DK points over his last four, so we're just hoping for one of those spike games. The Raptors, in their current form, are not a team to fear defensively.
Bonus Guards: Stephen Curry ($10,800), Patty Mills ($3,000), Lonnie Walker IV ($4,000)
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DraftKings DFS Forwards
Gary Trent Jr. - SF, vs. Grizzlies ($5,500)
Trent Jr. is simply too cheap for his expected role with the Raptors resting their best non-Siakam players. He holds a robust 30.6% usage rate with the expected lineup and just put up 34.25 DK points in their absence in his last game.
Domantas Sabonis - PF/C, vs. Wizards ($10,500)
Sabonis is priced way up now, but it's deserving as he has surged late in the season and has put up games of 74.25 and 75.25 DK points over his last four. The Wizards are allowing the third-most FPPG to opposing PF's over their last seven games.
KJ Martin Jr. - PF, vs. Jazz ($5,300)
DraftKings forgot to price K-Mart Jr. up after he has put up at least 47.25 DK points and played at least 39 minutes over the last two games. The Jazz represents a difficult matchup, but Martin is taking a bunch of shots and producing at too high of a rate to get away from him here.
Keldon Johnson - PF, vs. Trail Blazers ($4,700)
Johnson has mixed in a few concerning floor performances with outputs between 25-40 DK points over his last 10 games, but this is a great spot for him to crush value here tonight. His usage (20.5%) and DK PTS/min (0.91) jump with Derrick White off the floor, and this game environment is juicy.
Bonus Forwards: Pascal Siakam ($9,000), Stanley Johnson ($3,700), DeAndre' Bembry ($3,500), Isaiah Roby ($4,300)
DraftKings DFS Centers
Nikola Jokic - C, vs. Nets ($10,900)
Jokic is at a nice price point to get to him tonight as he has exceeded 5x value on his current tag in six of his last eight games played. He hasn't showcased his 70+ DK point ceiling in quite some time, but tonight's matchup against the Nets just may be the time to make it happen.
Khem Birch - C, vs. Grizzlies ($6,100)
Birch has certainly taken advantage of the extra opportunity granted to him with Lowry, Van Vleet, and others all missing time. He needs 30.5 DK points to hit 5x value and he has exceeded that number in five of his last seven games. The Grizzlies have allowed the fourth-most FPPG to opposing C's this season and the second-most over their last 15 games.
Bonus Centers: Rudy Gobert ($8,800), Moses Brown ($4,900), Jusuf Nurkic ($7,200)
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